
ENERGY METHOD
Many problems in the design of machines and structures require knowledge of the
deformation of material in the plastic condition. In statical problems the method of
limit design
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may be used. In dynamics, the most useful corresponding concept is
less theoretical and may be termed the energy method; it is based upon the impact
test used for the investigation of brittleness in metals. Originally, the only purpose of
this test was to break a standard specimen as an index of brittleness or ductility. The
general method, using a tension specimen, may be used in studying the dynamic
resistance of materials.
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An axial force is applied along the length of the specimen
and causes the material to rupture ultimately. The energy of absorption is the total
amount of energy taken out of the loading system and transferred to the specimen
to cause the plastic deformation. The elastic energy and the specific mode of build-
up of stress to the final plastic state are ignored. Such an approach has value only to
the extent that the material has ductility. For example, in a long tension-type speci-
men of medium steel, the energy absorbed before neck-down and rupture is of the
order of 500 ft-lb per cubic inch of material. Thus, if the moving body in Fig. 9.5
weighs 200 lb and has an initial velocity of 80 ft/sec, it represents 20,000 ft-lb of
kinetic energy. If the tension bar subjected to the impact is 10 in. long and 0.5 in. in
diameter, it will absorb approximately 1,000 ft-lb of energy. Under these circum-
stances it will rupture. On the other hand, if the moving body m weighs only 50 lb
and has an initial velocity of 30 ft/sec, its kinetic energy is approximately 700 ft-lb
and the bar will not rupture.
If the tension specimen were severely notched at some point along its length, it
would no longer absorb 500 ft-lb per cubic inch to rupture.The material in the imme-
diate neighborhood of the notch would deform plastically; a break would occur at
the notch with the bulk of the material in the specimen stressed below the yield
stress for the material.A practical structural situation related to this problem occurs
when a butt weld is located at some point along an unnotched specimen. If the weld
is of good quality, the full energy absorption of the entire bar develops before rup-
ture; with a poor weld, the rupture occurs at the weld and practically no energy is
absorbed by the remainder of the material. This is an important consideration in
applying the energy method to design problems.
REFERENCES
1. Love, A. E. H.:“The Mathematical Theory of Elasticity,” p. 25, Cambridge University Press,
New York, 1934.
2. Timoshenko, S., and D. H.Young:“Engineering Mechanics,” McGraw-Hill Book Company,
Inc., New York, 1956.
3. Loney, S. L.: “A Treatise on Elementary Dynamics,” p. 199, Cambridge University Press,
New York, 1900.
4. Hertz, H.: J. Math. (Crelle), pp. 92, 155, 1881.
5. Rayleigh, Lord: Phil. Mag. (ser. 6), 11:283 (1906).
6. Timoshenko, S.: “Theory of Elasticity,” 3d ed., McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., New
York, 1969.
7. Raman, C. V.: Phys. Rev., 15, 277 (1920).
8. Lamb, H.: Proc. London Math. Soc., 35, 141 (1902).
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